Bytagthe publication "Tour de France 2025: cherry juice, trendy drink or placebo effect?"
It's no longer just an anecdote: at the 2025 Tour de France, the little red or blue cherry-flavored packs are being handed out at the finish line like water bottles on a breakaway day. Sour cherry juice, Montmorency concentrate, miracle drink... Call it what you will: every rider drinks it. And while some grimace at the first sip, no one goes without. So, is this just mimicking the peloton or truly useful? We investigated.
By Jeff TATARD – Photos: depositphotos.com, in thetagram alpecindeceuninck
Not a revolution, but a (good) solution
It's not the first superfood to win over the peloton, and it surely won't be the last.. But this one ticks several boxes: it's natural, easy to incorporate into a recovery routine, and — most importantly — it does pros. Enough to seduce the staff as much as the runners. We saw it at all the finishes of mytagne: EF, UAE, Visma, Ineos… there isn’t a WorldTour team that doesn’t pop a bottle of cherry juice before hitting the home trainers to go do some flush out lactic acid.
For José Lopez, renowned performance coach and physical trainer, “Tart cherry juice is a perfect recovery tool, but not a magic wand. What it does provide is a combination of subtle effects: less inflammation, a little more recharged glycogen, better sleep. Nothing spectacular in itself, but it's these kinds of details that, when multiplied, count in the third week of a Grand Tour."
Cherry Juice: What the Science Really Says
Behind the hype, there is indeed solid but nuanced data.Polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants that limit micro-muscle lesions, melatonin to regulate sleep, and a significant carbohydrate intake in the post-exercise phase (up to 35 g of carbohydrates per 250 ml).
But again, no effect. superpower : it's all about context, dosage, timing. And above all, recovery - because that's where this juice plays its part, not on direct performance, unlike supplements like nitrates or caffeine.
Fashion or mimicry?
If everyone drinks it, it's also because everyone sees it.The peloton loves it: observing, copying, refining. As JC Savignoni, a former European mountain bike champion, now a consultant on the Tour and director of the Gravel Festival, which will serve as the French championship this year, says:
"We've all seen fads come and go. But this one has the intelligence to be based on concrete, discreet but proven effects. And when a team wins using it, half the peloton joins. It's not a magic potion, but it's becoming a recovery standard, like compression socks or air boots."
The retail price
The other side effect is… the priceThe versions used in the peloton aren't the same as those found on the shelves. We're talking about concentrated juice, measured to the nearest milliliter, sometimes with added L-theanine or melatonin depending on the range. Expect to pay between €15 and €30 per liter, or around ten euros for a post-stage dose. Suffice it to say, it remains an "elite" product—for now.
But then again, this is nothing new in cycling, where the smallest aerodynamic sock is priced at a premium and where recovery has become a battleground in its own right.
What we remember
• Yes, sour cherry juice has a real effect on recovery, especially through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• No, it's not revolutionary, but it ticks all the boxes marginal gain.
• Yes, its widespread adoption comes as much from science as from the conformity of the peloton.
• No, it's not a miracle cure. But in a sport where every detail counts, it's one more ammunition in the modern runner's arsenal.
José Lopez concludes: “It's a tool, not a solution. But used properly, it allows you to chain together more effectively. And at that level, that's what we're looking for."
In short, for 3bikes.fr It remains to be seen whether this trend will pass or stick around. But one thing is certain: as long as you drink it and grimace, it probably feels good...
